Alert archive / Oregon / Red Flag Warnings in 2021

Red Flag Warning 46, NWS Medford, OR

September 4, 2021Modoc County, California; Klamath County, Lake County, Oregon

NWS Medford, OR issued this red flag warning at Sep 4, 2021, 2:30 PM PDT for Modoc County, California; Klamath County, Lake County, Oregon. It took effect at Sep 5, 2021, 2:00 PM PDT. It was in force for 6 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Sep 4, 2021, 2:30 PM PDT (21:30 UTC)
In effect from
Sep 5, 2021, 2:00 PM PDT
Expired
Sep 5, 2021, 8:00 PM PDT
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Medford, OR

Counties Modoc County, CA, Klamath County, OR, Lake County, OR

The radar

The Medford radar (KMAX), 151 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:34 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Medford/Jackson, OR (KMFR), launched 12:00Z, 9.5 hours before the alert went out and 154 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Medford/Jackson, OR at 12:00Z on 2021-09-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Medford/Jackson, OR at 12:00Z on 2021-09-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 0 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
2352 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
19 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
0 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
47 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

135 
WWUS86 KMFR 042130
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
230 PM PDT Sat Sep 4 2021

CAZ285-ORZ624-051300-
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.W.0046.210905T2100Z-210906T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.A.0033.210906T2100Z-210907T0300Z/
Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley-
Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
230 PM PDT Sat Sep 4 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM PDT SUNDAY FOR
   STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 285 
   AND 624...
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
   MONDAY EVENING FOR STRONG GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE 
   WEATHER ZONES 285 AND 624...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Red Flag
Warning...which is in effect from 2 PM to 8 PM PDT Sunday. A Fire
Weather Watch has also been issued. This Fire Weather Watch is in
effect from Monday afternoon through Monday evening.

* Impacts:  Strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and
  critically dry vegetation will greatly increase the spread
  potential of any new and existing fires.

* Affected area: 
  In Northern CA Fire Zone....285.
  In South Central OR Fire Zone....624.

* Wind: Southwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

* Humidity: 5-10 percent.

* View the hazard area in detail at:
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD 

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Avoid tossing burning cigarettes on the ground, parking hot
vehicles on dry vegetation, and using equipment that can cause
sparks. Follow all fire restrictions. Find links to restrictions
at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less
wildfire.

Gather your fire evacuation kit now. Collect essentials you don't
want to lose and prioritize your checklist. Visit ready.gov/kit
for more information.

Familiarize yourself with your evacuation plan. Where will you go?
How will you get there? Who will you call to let others know your
are safe? Visit ready.gov/wildfires for more information.

A Red Flag Warning does not mean there is a fire. It means that
critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will
shortly. These conditions promote rapid spread of fire which may
become life threatening. Evacuate if ordered to, or if a fire
threatens.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are possible during the valid watch time. These conditions could
promote the rapid spread of wildfires which could become life-
threatening. Check weather.gov/medford for forecast updates and a
possible upgrade of the this watch to a Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$

Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
3 follow-up statements
234 
WWUS86 KMFR 051239
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
539 AM PDT Sun Sep 5 2021


CAZ285-ORZ624-060300-
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0046.210905T2100Z-210906T0300Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.A.0033.210906T2100Z-210907T0300Z/
Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley-
Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
539 AM PDT Sun Sep 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR FOR GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH IN PORTIONS OF FIRE 
WEATHER ZONES 285 AND 624...

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON 
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING FOR FOR GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH IN PORTIONS OF FIRE 
WEATHER ZONES 285 AND 624...

* Impacts: Gusty wind with single digit RH and critically dry vegetation
  will greatly increase the spread potential of any new and 
  existing fires.

* Affected area: 
  - In Northern CA Fire Zone....Most of FWZ 285 today. 
  - In South Central OR Fire Zone....The Winter Rim to Warner 
    Mountains areas in FWZ 624.

* Wind: Southwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.

* Humidity: 5-10 percent.

* View the hazard area in detail at:
https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD

$$
BTL

Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
639 
WWUS86 KMFR 052024
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
124 PM PDT Sun Sep 5 2021

...Gusty Winds With Low Relative Humidity This Afternoon and 
Evening and Again Tuesday Afternoon and Evening...

.A weak dry cold front will move into the area tonight, producing 
gusty winds along with preexisting low RHs over a large area east 
of the Cascades. Winds are expected to be weaker Monday afternoon, 
and conditions are now expected to be just shy of critical values. 
However, the arrival of an upper level trough Tuesday afternoon 
could produce another round of gusty winds, and with only very
modest rises in humidity, critical fire weather is possible. 


CAZ285-ORZ624-061200-
/O.CAN.KMFR.FW.A.0033.210906T2100Z-210907T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KMFR.FW.A.0034.210907T2000Z-210908T0300Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.W.0046.210905T2100Z-210906T0300Z/
Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley-
Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
124 PM PDT Sun Sep 5 2021

...RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING
FOR GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 285 AND 624... 
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH 
TUESDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 
285 AND 624... 
...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IS CANCELLED FOR STRONG GUSTY 
WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 285 AND 624...

The National Weather Service in Medford has issued a Fire Weather
Watch...which is in effect from Tuesday afternoon through Tuesday
evening. The Fire Weather Watch for Monday has been cancelled.

* Impacts: Gusty winds with low relative humidity and critically 
  dry vegetation will greatly increase the spread potential of any 
  new and existing fires.

* Affected area: In Northern CA, much of Fire Weather Zone 285,
  including the Warner Mountains and portions of the Modoc National
  Forest, and the communities of Alturas, Canby, Adin, Tionesta,
  and Davis Creek. 
  In South Central OR, southeastern Fire Zone 624,
  including the Warner Mountains, Winter Rim, portions of the 
  Fremont Winema National Forest, and the communities of Lakeview 
  and Valley Falls.

* Wind: Southwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph are expected
  today. Tuesday afternoon, south to southwest winds of 20 to 25 
  mph and gusts up to 30 mph are possible. 

* Humidity: 5-10 percent.

* View the hazard area in detail at:
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

Avoid tossing burning cigarettes on the ground, parking hot
vehicles on dry vegetation, and using equipment that can cause
sparks. Follow all fire restrictions. Find links to restrictions
at weather.gov/medford/wildfire. One less spark, one less
wildfire.

Gather your fire evacuation kit now. Collect essentials you don't
want to lose and prioritize your checklist. Visit ready.gov/kit
for more information.

Familiarize yourself with your evacuation plan. Where will you go?
How will you get there? Who will you call to let others know your
are safe? Visit ready.gov/wildfires for more information.

A Red Flag Warning does not mean there is a fire. It means that
critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will
shortly. These conditions promote rapid spread of fire which may
become life threatening. Evacuate if ordered to, or if a fire
threatens.

&&

$$


Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford
872 
WWUS86 KMFR 060252
RFWMFR

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Medford OR
752 PM PDT Sun Sep 5 2021

CAZ285-ORZ624-061200-
/O.EXP.KMFR.FW.W.0046.000000T0000Z-210906T0300Z/
/O.CON.KMFR.FW.A.0034.210907T2000Z-210908T0300Z/
Modoc County Except for the Surprise Valley-
Klamath Basin and the Fremont-Winema National Forest-
752 PM PDT Sun Sep 5 2021

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE
WEATHER ZONES 285 AND 624...
...RED FLAG WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR GUSTY
WIND WITH LOW RH FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 285 AND 624...

* Impacts: Strong, gusty wind with low relative humidity and
  critically dry vegetation will greatly increase the spread 
  potential of any new and existing fires.

* Affected area: 
  In Northern CA, much of Fire Weather Zone 285, including the
  Warner Mountains and portions of the Modoc National Forest, and 
  the communities of Alturas, Canby, Adin, Tionesta, and Davis Creek.

  In South Central OR, southeastern Fire Zone 624, including the 
  Warner Mountains, Winter Rim, portions of the Fremont Winema 
  National Forest, and the communities of Lakeview and Valley Falls.

* Wind: Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* Humidity: 5 to 10 percent.

* View the hazard area in detail at:
  https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/mfr/HAZARD

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are possible during the valid watch time. These conditions could
promote the rapid spread of wildfires which could become life-
threatening. Check weather.gov/medford for forecast updates and a
possible upgrade of the this watch to a Red Flag Warning.

&&

$$


Visit us at www.weather.gov/Medford

The office that day

Everything else NWS Medford, OR issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Sep 4, 2:30 PM PDTFire Weather WatchMFRModoc23 hr
Sep 4, 1:41 PM PDTSmall Craft AdvisoryMFR3 days

Nearby

Red Flag Warnings in Oregon, 2021Red Flag Warnings in California, 2021Every red flag warning in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.